House Bill 3098 is a Second Amendment law that would do away with all of that silly talk about needing a license to open carry.
HB 3098 removes all administrative penalties and references in other (non SDA) statutes concerning the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The measure allows any person to lawfully carry a firearm in this state when carried in a holster or scabbard, case or with a sling designed for carrying firearms that is wholly or partially visible and the person is twenty-one years of age or older. Persons choosing to obtain a Self-Defense Act license may do so in order to have reciprocity in other states when travelling outside Oklahoma.
Oh, and don’t worry about having to take a class for that there thunder-stick in your hands, this bill gets rid of the training requirement as well—unless you are in jail or a felon. You would have to be 21 years old of course, because hey, they aren’t savages out there in Oklahoma. The bill was authored by Representative Jeff Coody.
“It only allows individuals who are legally able to own a weapon, who are not felons, who are over the age of 21, for peaceful purposes, defensive purposes, to carry in the open without a permit,” Coody said.
Let’s be very clear, even if you are using your gun to shoot at a target at a range, for fun, it’s not a peaceful activity. Grow up. Of course, as the bill stands, as it passed with a 73-15 vote last week through the Oklahoma House, if you are a domestic abuser—and much more likely to murder your partner or ex-partner—you too can have a gun to carry around in public. But how about words like “God” and “Ultimate?”
“It’s the ultimate freedom bill regarding open carry,” Coody said. Coody and other supporters said citizens who are qualified to own a handgun should not be required to ask the government for permission and pay a fee to openly carry it.
“It’s our God-given right to defend our self,” said Rep. John Bennett, R-Sallisaw.
Besides being a pretty insane bill, it will also end up being one of those things Republicans love to call “job killers.”
The fiscal impact is significant. The loss of annual recurring OSBI revolving fund revenue is estimated to be as much as $6,000,000 to $7,000,000 which is about 15-18% of our current operations budget.
Layoffs through a reduction in force of up to 60-70 or more positions, about 20-25% of our workforce, would be required as well as reductions in operating expenses.”
Way to go.